The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has bolstered their squad for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup with the return of two seasoned campaigners, Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam. Both all-rounder Rumana and pacer Jahanara boast over 130 international caps each, bringing a wealth of experience back into the fold after a year on the sidelines.
The Bangladesh selectors had been prioritizing building a younger squad, but Rumana and Jahanara’s recent performances proved too strong to ignore. Jahanara was the leading wicket-taker in the Dhaka Premier Division Women’s Cricket League (DPDWCL) this season, claiming an impressive 25 wickets in just nine matches. Rumana, a leg-spinner, was also amongst the wickets with 17 scalps, while contributing a valuable 241 runs with the bat.
Women’s chief selector Sajjad Ahmed acknowledged the players’ dedication to staying fit despite limited training facilities for female cricketers in Bangladesh. “Rumana and Jahanara’s return brings much-needed experience to the squad,” Ahmed said. “Their exceptional performances in the Premier League demonstrate their talent and hunger for success. This creates a well-balanced team with a strong core.”
The inclusion of Rumana and Jahanara isn’t the only change to the Bangladesh squad. The selectors have also brought in promising young opener Ishma Tanzim and left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar, signaling a blend of experience and exciting potential.
The Women’s Asia Cup will be held in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from July 19th to 28th. With a bolstered squad boasting a healthy mix of experience and youthful talent, Bangladesh will be looking to make a strong run in the tournament.
